Creative England 50 A book about England’s creativity Creative England is three years old. In that time we have invested over £14,436,230 in the games, TV, film and digital media industries. We have helped to create 49 new digital creative businesses and provided support to over 500 more. In the last two years we’ve helped 1,936 productions to film on location in the English regions, bringing over £171 million to local economies, and creating over 10,000 days of work for local crews. We’ve invested over £1,542,580 in the games industry and last year, we helped new directors create 24 short films – this year we’ll fund 40 more. This report is a celebration of our achievements and recognition of the contribution the Creative Industries make to our economy. The following 50 individuals and businesses demonstrate just what can be achieved with a little investment and a lot of talent.
Contents Foreword by Caroline 4 The Creative England 50 8 Where are the 50? 10 Judges 12 Company Profiles 17 The Industry View – Deloitte 38 England’s regional opportunity 40 Thanks 42
3 And yet these businesses that are so vital to our future competitiveness Foreword in the global economy are facing challenges that threaten their growth and ambition. They suffer from substantial skills shortages. They suffer from financial institutions that find it difficult to get out of their old habits and lend against intangible assets. Perhaps most significantly, they suffer from an investment culture characterised by a limited appetite Caroline for taking ‘risks’. The result is that the vast majority of the UK’s creative businesses struggle to access growth finance. This means talent is undeveloped, ideas unrealised, and opportunities lost. Norbury MBE That is why at Creative England we invest, connect, mentor, advocate and collaborate at all levels of the industry, from small independents to large internationals – creating the right conditions for success. From directors to entrepreneurs, games studios to app developers, writers to animators and production companies it’s our job to cultivate Creative the creativity that is one of the hallmarks of this country. We work with government, financiers and policy makers to build a better environment for the industry, promoting long-term investment in intellectual property that remains in the UK and contributes to the England UK’s future prosperity. We recognise that talent is everywhere; it’s not a lack of talent that has led to our unbalanced economy – it’s a lack of investment and opportunity. To prove that is true, and not just a romantic dream, we’re highlighting Chief 50 of our brightest and best talents – innovators, creators and boundary breakers – people who we believe are challenging and changing preconceptions of our world-leading creative industries. They come from every part of the country and, far from being “risky”, Executive their successes are already proving that the creative economy is where long term prosperity lies. In addition, we have asked a panel of judges to help us identify We are living at a time of great creative disruption, generating new 10 Creative England Future Leaders – an extraordinary group ways of living, working and thinking. At the forefront of this disruption of individuals and companies, supported by Creative England, are creators – artists, entrepreneurs and technologists whose ideas who we think have the potential to disrupt the sector with and values are being absorbed into every facet of the 21st century cutting-edge innovation. global economy and society. And the UK is leading the way. The Chancellor of the Exchequer recently proclaimed that the UK’s In 2012, British films earned a worldwide gross of $5.3 billion – that’s creative industries are in the midst of a new ‘golden age’. This report 15% of the global box office. We are the second largest exporter is our way of sharing the good news and making sure it stays that way. of television in the world and the UK games industry is responsible for creating some of the world’s most recognisable games. But that’s not all. One of the fastest growing areas for this new economy is business to business. Creative content businesses, and the thinking behind them, are driving innovative cross-sector ventures in health, education, financial services, retail, high-end manufacturing and government services. There isn’t a sector unaffected by digital distribution, communications and production.
4 — Creative England 50 Foreword — 5 The Goob Courtesy of EMU Films
Main image © iFeatures Ltd and BFI 2014 Creativity is contagious
Albert Einstein pass it on.
6 — Creative England 50 7 The Creative England 50 1 England’s thriving creative industries are among the most successful in the world and are made up of talented, dedicated people who take risks and push boundaries. The Creative Economy thrives on experimentation, co-operation, imagination and, crucially, creativity. The following 50 individuals and businesses all form part of this new world. Some are emerging talents, others more established, but all are inventive, innovative and brave. Some have been supported by Creative England but what unites them all is their ability to turn creative ideas into commercial success. The beauty of creativity is that it takes just a small seed of investment to help individuals and businesses grow beyond their wildest dreams.
What we do
By offering funding and tailored support to the games, TV, film and digital media industries, we help them to flourish. We invest, mentor, advocate and collaborate at all levels of the industry, creating the right conditions for more success.
Games – We connect game creators and studios to the funds, mentors and partners they need to grow solid, sustainable companies. 2 3
Film – We deliver tailored mentoring, support and funding to established and emerging filmmakers to feed the future of our industry.
Business Support – We help businesses bloom, with investments, expertise and development support designed to make our creative industries world-leading.
Production Services – From sourcing locations to negotiating filming permissions, our production services experts connect filmmakers and programme makers to the people, places and facilities that make England an amazing place to film.
To find out more, visit: www.creativeengland.co.uk 4 5
01. The cast of Sweetheart © Jack Taylor Cox 02. Directing a photoshoot in one of England’s many studios 03. On location with Jack Taylor Cox 04. VR Carts - © Viewpoint Games 05. Lou Cordwell from Magnetic North
8 — Creative England 50 9 The following individuals and businesses have been chosen for their talent, their ingenuity and their ability to turn a bright idea into a commercial success. Across games, TV, film and digital media industries, this is ‘Creative England’.
Future Leaders 01 Abby Ajayi London 02 aql Yorkshire and the Humber The companies highlighted in the 03 Arinze Kene London CE 50 list have been voted by a panel 04 Bonafide North East of creative industry judges to be part 05 of Creative England’s Future Leaders Carbon Digital North West list. These companies are leading 06 Citrus Suite North West the charge for the creative industries, 07 Coacher Yorkshire and the Humber showcasing the best of what 08 Destiny Ekaragha London England’s regions have to offer 09 Droplet West Midlands and transforming the country’s 10 EMU Films North West economic future. 11 Evil Twin Artworks South West 12 Flix Interactive West Midlands 13 Flowify Yorkshire and the Humber 14 FuturLab South East 15 Gaelle Denis London 16 Ground Shatter South West 17 Guy Myhill East of England 18 HMA Digital Marketing Yorkshire and the Humber 19 Inflammable Yorkshire and the Humber 4 20 Jack Taylor Cox London 30 21 Jude Ower - Playmob West Midlands 22 LivingLens North West 31 23 Magnetic North North West 24 Matt Wilkinson London 25 Media Molecule South East 26 Mubaloo South West 2 27 Mutant Labs South West 18 50 28 Ninja Theory East of England 10 36 5 42 29 Nomad Games North West 6 22 20 7 13 19 23 38 30 Nosebleed Interactive North East 29 49 32 45 31 Oceloid Interactive North East 35 32 Peter Middleton East Midlands 33 Pixel Toys West Midlands 41 17 21 34 Playground Games West Midlands 12 9 35 Rachel Dargavel East Midlands 48 33 36 Rachel Tunnard Yorkshire and the Humber 34 28 37 Rook Films South West 38 Rormix North West 39 1 8 26 44 3 39 Rumpus Animation South West 16 43 11 15 20 40 Sean Buckley South East 24 46 41 Shoothill West Midlands
42 Skylab North West 25 43 Sun and Moon studios South West 37 40 44 The Bureau London 14 2747 45 The Floow Yorkshire and the Humber 46 The Imaginarium London 47 Total Monkery South West 48 Viewpoint Games West Midlands 49 Vorpal Games North West the 50? Where are 50 Yippee! Entertainment North West
10 — Creative England 50 Where are the 50 — 11 At Creative England we believe the best way to make progress is to embrace the unknown and focus on potential. If England is to continue to be a world-leader in creative business, then we need to give our creative heroes of the future the support they need. Stuart Rock Saul Klein
Our ten Future Leaders, all of whom have benefited from Stuart is the editor-in-chief of Business is GREAT, the UK Saul has been a partner at venture capital firm Index Ventures Government’s campaign designed to support SMEs across since 2007. An entrepreneur with two decades of experience investment by Creative England, were chosen by a panel the country, and is editorial consultant for the UK Business building and exiting companies in both the US and Europe, of judges for their strong growth promise and their potential Angels Association. Saul has a passion for working with seed and early-stage businesses. Investments include AlertMe, Chartbeat, With 25 years of business editing and writing experience, GlassesDirect and Songkick. to disrupt the sector with true innovation. and numerous awards to his name, Stuart has written about and for many of the UK’s top companies, entrepreneurs and Most recently, he was the co-founder of DIY computer kit business groups. Stuart was editor of the Institute of Directors’ Kano and pan-European accelerator Seedcamp, as well as magazine Director for seven years before co-founding Caspian co-founder and original CEO of LOVEFiLM International, Media and launching Real Business magazine, for which he acquired by Amazon. Saul was also part of the original won the PPA Editor of the Year award. executive team at Skype. Stuart has acted as the chairman for a nationwide government Saul is also a founding partner of The Accelerator Group, series of consultations with SMEs and continues to be a regular which he started with his father Robin Klein in 1999 to invest speaker and compere at events and conferences across Britain, in early-stage internet services, e-commerce and digital media championing Britain’s entrepreneurs and fast-growing businesses. businesses. The portfolio includes bit.ly, MOO, Tweetdeck and others.
Nicola Mendelsohn Rory Cellan-Jones Rebecca Burn-Callander Representing our media partner, The Telegraph Nicola Mendelsohn is Vice-President for Europe, the Middle Rory has been a reporter for the BBC for more than two East and Africa at Facebook and Industry Chair of the Creative decades, covering business and technology stories for much of Industries Council, a body set up to lead engagement between that time. In 2007, he was appointed Technology Correspondent Rebecca is the Enterprise Editor of The Telegraph. Government and the creative industries. with a brief to expand the BBC’s coverage of the impact of the She specialises in writing about entrepreneurs, startups, internet on business and society. He now covers technology for small-and medium-sized enterprises and fast-growth Prior to joining Facebook, Nicola was Executive Chairman TV, radio and the BBC website. businesses and has interviewed some of the biggest names and Partner at advertising agency Karmarama, which she in business from Richard Branson and James Dyson joined in April 2008, and was the President of the advertising Rory’s on-screen career began as reporter for Wales Today to Arianna Huffington and Raymond Blanc. industry trade body the IPA – the first woman president in in Cardiff, from where he moved to London as a reporter its 95 year history. Prior to Karmarama, Nicola was Deputy on Breakfast Time. He quickly transferred to business coverage, Rebecca’s career spans a range of publications including Chairman of Grey London and a Board Director at BBH. working across the BBC’s output from the Money Programme Management Today, where she was formerly the web editor, to Newsnight, from the Today programme to the Ten O’Clock and Real Business, where she was assistant editor. She was In 2005, Nicola featured in Management Today’s list of the News. The stories he has covered range from Black Wednesday recently named one of Gorkana’s top 100 UK journalists ‘Top 35 Women under 35’, and in May 2011 was named and the Maxwell trial to the dotcom bubble and the rise to follow on Twitter. an “International Woman to Watch” by Advertising Age. of Google. As Industry Chair of the Creative Industries Council, Nicola’s focus is to steer the Council on areas where there are barriers to growth facing the sector, such as access to finance, skills, export markets, regulation, intellectual property and infrastructure.
12 — Creative England 50 Judges — 13 Creativity can be a dangerous and dispiriting game —
The Beatles were famously told that they had no future in show business.
14 — Creative England 50 15 Dancing on the Edge (2013)
©BBC/Ruby Film & TV
Abby Ajayi aql Arinze Kene Bonafide Carbon Digital Citrus Suite Coacher Destiny Ekaragha
Droplet EMU Films Evil Twin Artworks Flix Interactive Flowify FuturLab Gaelle Denis Ground Shatter Guy Myhill HMA Digital Marketing Inflammable Jack Taylor Cox Jude Ower - Playmob LivingLens Magnetic North Matt Wilkinson Media Molecule Mubaloo Mutant Labs Ninja Theory Nomad Games Nosebleed Interactive Oceloid Interactive Peter Middleton Pixel Toys Playground Games Rachel Dargavel Rachel Tunnard Rook Films Rormix Rumpus Animation Sean Buckley Shoothill Skylab Sun and Moon studios The Bureau The Floow The Imaginarium Total Monkery Viewpoint Games Vorpal Games
Yippee! Entertainment Company Profiles
16 — Creative England 50 17 18 — Creative England 50 — 18 and Creative Skillset. is runinpartnershipwith theBFI,BBC Creative England’s iFeaturesprogramme Profiles A – C Britain approximately 42UKtelecommunications operators. on over onbehalfof 94millionUKnumbers service areresponsibleforthemessaging platforms hubs– andmessaging messaging AQL messaging to over 25oftheFTSE100. processes, andareresponsibleforsupplyingservices communications intotheirclients’ existingbusiness andvoice mobilemessaging they integrate specialists.aql aremessaging BasedinLeeds, film andtelevisionprojects. Lionsgate aswell asdeveloping several original thefeature She hasalsowritten ofteenagegirls. aboutagroup story a supernatural budget filmmakinginitiative, with The of theiFeatures programme, Creative England’s low Scholarat theNew Fulbright York Film Academy. The HallmarkChannelUSA, andin2011, was a movie feature-length TV anddirectors.for newwriters Ajayi adaptedthe 4’s and went ontowrite Eastenders drama series, including Abby Ajayi hasextensivecreditsforBBC writing Messaging specialists aql Writer Abby Ajayi Coming Up Their communication services include mobile includemobile Their communication services Ajayi was selectedforthedevelopment phase (Dir: Destiny Ekaragha) as part of Channel (Dir: ofChannel Destiny Ekaragha)aspart . Shewas selectedasaBroadcastHotshot strand, thechannel’s talentscheme The Future Wags OfGreat Casualty, HolbyCity Three WiseWomen Blackheath Ugly List for for for for and and
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for BestNewPlay. for West atPlaywright theOff End Theatre Awards attachment totheNational Theatre Studio. Hammersmith, anewplay on whilewriting to boththeBush Theatre andtheLyric rave undercommission reviewsandheiscurrently Writers’ Scheme. Hisplay fortheBBCDramaProduction script new original 2013, a Kenewas recentlycommissionedtowrite Tomorrow UKStarof a ScreenInternational in in development withSixteenFilms. Namedas feature film,Film andhasanotheroriginal feature film,finishing anoriginal andactor Playwright Keneiscurrently Arinze Shorts Fest forits Shorts include theBestofFest 2014award at theLA with basesinbothNewcastleandLondon. Awards East’sthe North up-and-comingfilmand TVindies filmofalltime.as theirmostunderrated Massey. In2010 The Telegraph chose alongside Susannah York, SianPhillipsand Anna in whoco-wrote andstarred performer and commercials. and Alexander isacomedywriter by Universal, aswell asaward winningshorts, TV Her creditsincludethefeature Bone hasbeenacreative producerforover tenyears. Bone andcomedianSacha Alexander in2008. production company foundedbyproducerMargery Newcastle-based BonafideFilmsisa TVandfilm Production company Bonafide Films Writer Arinze Kene Estate Walls Kene was named Most Promising Kene was namedMostPromising The company has established itself as one of The company hasestablisheditselfasoneof in2011, whichwas alsonominated Nosferatu God’s Property
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www.carbondigital.co.uk — the gamingindustry, anditsever-evolving technology. of judges;theirambitiontomaximisethepotential It’s CarbonDigital’s visionthatimpressedourpanel Games DevelopmentConferenceinSanFrancisco. dedicated gametrailerdivision,whichlaunchedatthe Creative EnglandhelpedCarbonDigitaltolauncha At thestartof2014,throughitsBusinessLoanFund, Entertainment Europe. Mind Candy, BarclaysandSonyComputer BBH andRaineyKelley, totheBBC,ITV, Unilever, Their clientsrangefromglobaladvertisingagencies and visualimagery. and broadcast,throughanimation,visualeffects content forcomputergamestrailers,TVcommercials an award-winningvisualeffectsagencythatdelivers Based inMediaCityUKSalford,CarbonDigitalis Visual effectsagency Carbon Digital
Leader Future England Creative —
of oneweekend. attracted inexcessof100,000hitsoverthecourse produced forBBCSportandLearning,which Year” forathree-partCGIfilmcommissionthatthey award for“TV, Film,Video,AnimationProductionofthe of thecovetedMPA (MasterPhotographers Association) The companywasrecentlyannouncedasawinner production capabilitiestothethrivinggamesindustry. high-end visualeffects,CGI,productionandpost- Paul McHugh,istofocusonbringingthecompany’s The newdivision’s aim,ledbyco-foundersSueand Company Profiles — 19 Company Profiles—
20 — Creative England 50 — 20 Jim Farmery, Business InvestmentDirector, CreativeEngland creativity iseverywhere.” does nothavean exclusivityclausewhenitcomes totalent, found theseinabundance overthelastthreeyears. London new ideas,ambitious companiesandstandoutteams; we’ve “At CreativeEnglandwearealways onthelookoutforgreat Profiles C – E she wroteanddirected, was selectedforthe52nd at 2013’s BFILondonFilmFestival. Newcomer She was alsonominated asBestBritish selected asoneof2014BAFTA Breakthrough Brits. Destiny andhasbeen Ekaraghaisawriter/director improve theirstrategy. their team’s statistics, develop theirplayers and match canberegistered, allowing coachestoanalyse to substitutions, a that happensduring everything From foulstoshots, cardstooff-sides, ballrecovery them develop betterplayers andawinningteam. from amateur tosemi-professionallevel tohelp The appisnow available tofootballcoaches inSheffield,programme todevelop hisidea. accelerator, aCreative Englandpart-funded career asaplayer, appliedfortheDotForge Cortez footballer. putanendtohis When akneeinjury management appCoacher, usedtobeaprofessional Hugo Cortez, CEOandco-founderoffootball writing hersecondfeature. writing comedyfilm, anoriginal written directing work, themulti-talented Ekaraghahasalso film by Abby Ajayi, directingthefeature andiscurrently Channel 4, and won numerousawards. premiered at the2013LondonFilmFestival feature film, Filmat theFestivalShort bytheObserver. Herfirst BFI LondonFilmFestival in2008andvoted Best App development company Coacher Director Destiny Ekaragha Blackheath In 2010 she directed a Coming Up film for In 2010shedirectedaComingUpfilmfor Ekaragha’s first short film,Ekaragha’s short first h FutureWags The Gone tooFar! , by alsowritten Ajayi. Alongside her was selected for and was selectedforand
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Droplet payments arenow acceptedinawideand theDropletcommunity. –helpingtogrow retailers conversations encouraging betweenand customers tosharetheirpurchases,allowing customers and Droplet introducedasocialmediaelement, – andnotransactionfees. processing at pointofsalewithpayment byphone Mobile commercetoolsreplacedcashandcard cashlessbusinesses.merchants tobecometruly decidedtohelpenterprise the Dropletteamfirst thetraditionalbankingworld,would interrupt make payments. Confidentthat mobiletechnology newtechnologytohow we premise ofbringing Droplet was foundedin2011, basedonthe of thecompany. will helpthemincreasethecapacityandgrowth Fundaward,England FilmEnterprise which Film Award forBestProduction. directed byGuyMyhill, wonIndependent aBritish Venice respectively. Mostrecently and vonand Lars Trier. Ramsay, Matthew Vaughn, Pawel Pawlikowski with thelikesofMichael Winterbottom, Lynne Jim Mooneyand Walli Ullah. Elliothascollaborated Elliott andtwo colleaguesfromhisearlycareer, was foundedby Yorkshire-born producerMike based inManchesterandLondon. The company EMU Filmsisafeature filmproductioncompany and Bournemouth. London, Edinburgh, Norwich, Newcastle diverse rangeofcitiesincludingBirmingham, Production company EMU Films development company Finance technology Droplet The Goob When consumers seemedtolikeit,When consumers EMU was recentlyboostedbyaCreative EMU’s two first features, , debuted lastyear at Cannesand
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www.citrussuite.com — Citrus Suite was one of the recipients of this funding, Citrus Suitewasoneoftherecipientsthisfunding, development thatsupportarangeofhealthissues. invest atotalof£400,000inproductandprototype of healthcarepartners,includingNHSEngland,to Last yearCreativeEnglandjoinedforceswithaseries and leadingcharities. with arangeoforganisationsincludingtheNHS apps. Onthemobilehealthside,CitrusSuiteworks Penguin, Sony, HarperCollinsandtheBBCforitsbook Citrus Suite’s rosterofclientsisalsoimpressive: Amyotrophic LateralSclerosis(ALS). of peoplewiththeneurodegenerativedisease Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD),andforcarers apps foryoungpeoplelivingwithAttentionDeficit management ofhealthconditions.Theseinclude benefit ofmedicaladvice,andtoassistinthe giving peoplesimpledigitaltoolstomaximisethe of mobilehealthproductsoverthepasttwoyears, the healthcareindustry, Citrushasdevelopedarange Chosen byourjudgesfortheircross-sectorworkwith pharmaceutical sector. and mobilehealthappsforthehealthcare areas: designingcreativebookappsforpublishers Liverpool. Foundedin2008,thecompanyworkstwo Citrus Suiteisacreativedesignstudiobasedin Chris Morland Creative designstudio Citrus Suite
and Android platforms. and Androidplatforms. developers tobuildhigh-qualityappsforbothiOS development tool,CitrusEngine,whichallows The companyalsohasitsowninnovativein-house Group andseveralDrumMarketingawards. from has alsowonmanyawards,includingAppoftheYear received morethan4,000five-starreviews.CitrusSuite more thanhalfamilliongamesandapps,whichhave the US.Intotal,companyhasseenusersdownload reach numberoneinappstoresacrosstheUKand In 2011and2012,thecompanysawthreeofitsapps support carers. designed tohelppeoplelivewellwithdementiaand Enabling Technology foriOS/Android,aseriesofapps newest flagshipprojectsisReMindMe:Memory Working withInnovateDementia,one of CitrusSuite’s with theirdoctor. and dipsintheirprogressshareinformation medications, viewup-to-datedatashowingtrends can recordsymptoms,functions,exerciseand condition. Usinggamificationtechniquesthepatient tablet deviceswhichcantrackandmonitorapatient’s and iscurrentlydevelopinganappformobile Steve Donovan Apps Magazine Apps , Best Digital Product from Penguin , BestDigitalProductfromPenguin Company Profiles — 21 Company Profiles— Leader Future England Creative
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Profiles E – F Company Profiles — 23
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, a series Sofia Velocity 2X Velocity Velocity 2X Velocity The Velocity The Velocity Coconut Dodge to critical acclaim, and are now to critical acclaim, , a tablet application for hospitality. for hospitality. a tablet application , Sofia Another of their titles, Another of their titles, The technology prompts the whole hospitalityThe technology prompts After taking part stage growth in an early to the next commercial level with live level to the next commercial Surge Deluxe Deluxe Surge Flowify company development App FuturLab studio Games development awarded Best Arcade Game in 2012 and 2014 Best awarded Magazine voted TIME and TIGA, by one of the 10 best video games of 2014. has also received self-published PSP® miniS game, for download available is now reviews and glowing on iPhones and iPads. Flowify launched in March 2013 in Sheffield andlaunched in March 2013 Flowify service improving about passionate is a company hasThe team industry. within the hospitality developed customer with operators improve to It works serviceas a personal by acting assistant to front of house teams. team to be in the right the right place at time, ordersmeaning that the right are taken at moment, every and wasted chances to upsell are not guest service. of customer a high level receives real-time advisor to the team. an interactive, and with support programme, accelerator from ready to take is now Flowify England, Creative Sofia across the industry. installations based in winning game studio FuturLab is an award and publishes originalBrighton develops that games They released on mobile and console. and on a brand new title. working was The sci-fi adventure has been a huge success.
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. Victory Sea at River Cottage Get Foraging Cottage River GooHoo Flix Interactive is proud to be at the be at is proud to Flix Interactive The team knows that the right that app or gameThe team knows Since its inception, Evil Twin Artworks has Twin Evil Since its inception, Their most recent game, Founded by brothers James and Mark Carroll by brothers James Founded apps and asset development, the team produces the apps and asset development, high quality digital content across multiple devices. including mobile platforms, using the forefront of game design innovation, technology and expertiselatest in cross platform Their PC game development. Evil Twin Artworks Twin Evil studio development Games Flix Interactive studio Games development Flix Midlands, West Established in 2012 in the prides cutting edgeInteractive itself on creating for the next generation. video games and software talented studio specialising in games, A small but immersive first-person, survival-creation game, survival-creationimmersive first-person, game, biggest EGX (the UK’s at which has been demo’d release imminently. and is due for games show), games to develop with Microsoft Flix also works One platform.for the Xbox with and they work a business can revolutionise bespoke technology to meetclients to develop their specific needs. Evil Twin Artworks games is a Swindon-based Twin Evil original creating studio development multi-platform games including and Channel 4 with a diverse apps working produced 17 games and UK and internationally. range of clients in the ‘best action/ in the Award TIGA a prestigious won category. by a small studio’ game built adventure South GamesLab England’s A product of Creative programme, West from six other studios. apps games and creating has flourished, Twin Evil Google Play, App Store, Mac Store, for Steam, They App Store. Amazon Store and the Windows for grassroots programmingare strong advocates and run projects with schools and the outreach local community.
Creative England when we first began.Creative England when insuranceAs well as continuing our work in the motor our servicesindustry we are now also looking to provide sectorsand develop the use of telematics in other for a rangeincluding healthcare, environment and of businesses.” “The capital provided was very useful,” says Aldo says very useful,” was capital provided “The “We The Floow. of and co-founder CEO Monteforte, early hiring of some the to accelerate that money used solidify and strengthen which helped us to resources more revenue and eventually get the product from clients.” devices and software, has its own proprietary The Floow employing data is centred around and the company physicists, scientists, mathematicians and computer actuaries and psychologists. by our judges for itsAs well as being recognised Floow recently won “Bestinnovative work, The Project” at the Post Digital Telematics-Based Awards. Insurance and Technology has recognised are delighted that Creative England “We to sustained growth byour work and our commitment The Floow has developed Leader. voting us as a Future inception in 2012, which is in partsignificantly since its support we received fromthanks to the financial
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Creative England Future Leader
specialists Telematics technology Telematics The Floow www.thefloow.com — The Floow received an injection of capital throughThe Floow received an injection of capital Business Loan Fund which Creative England’s growth. helped the company maintain early-stage both Android and iPhone. After each journey, the driver After each journey, both Android and iPhone. them how well they may or mayreceives a score telling Line has recently taken a 15 pernot have done. Direct the business. cent equity stake in behaviour. either as a black box thatThe technology is available a telematics App accessible forfits in the car or as This technology has been embraced by Direct Line,This technology has who offer the technology to theirGreenflag and AIG drivers with a discount on theircustomers, providing based on their individual drivinginsurance premium road safety and driving behaviour. As a result, they and driving behaviour. road safety driver app that captures a smartphone have developed a low-cost telematic system.performance data through Specialising in telematics data collection, storage in telematics data Specialising has company the Sheffield-based and management, in specialisms algorithms and research developed The Floow uses insights from telematics technologyfrom telematics insights uses The Floow drive, how drivers better understand insurers to help for fairer premiums to price in turn helps which drivers.responsible 22 — Creative England 50 24 — Creative England 50 — 24 Profiles G – L range ofplatforms. along withtwenty publishedtitlesacrossawide inthegamesindustry ofexperience after fifteen years James Parker foundedGroundShatter inJune2014, feature script. to develop anoriginal awarded aplacewiththeCrossChannelFilmLab Film Industry Award.a British Shehasnow been at CannesCritics’ Week, andwas alsonominated for SkyScrappers old, title: GroundShatter hasalreadyreleaseditsfirst continues tothrive. Despitebeingjustafewmonths the company intoamulti-projectteamwhich grow Opposable Games. As designdirectorhehelped multi-screen, realitydeveloper andvirtual FilmFestival).of Clermont-Ferrand and City Paradise Cinéfondation 2002, BAFTA nomination 2003), the OfficialCompetitionofCannesFilm Festival, including shorts MA in Animation Directionat Royal Collegeof Art. relocated toLondonin2000completean filmmakerwho Gaëlle DenisisaFrench-born Games development studio Ground Shatter Writer/director Gaëlle Denis After theRain In 2014, film In hershort Parker previouslyco-foundedthemobile, Denis hasdirectedseveral award-winning (50awards, BAFTA nominee2005) . Fish Never Sleep (premiered in the official selection (premieredintheofficialselection Crocodile (premiered in (premieredin , won best short , won bestshort
many directors can only dream of, with his very many canonlydreamof,withhisvery directors Film Festival, GuyMyhillhasachieved what – the topprize The GoldenHitchcock–at Dinard Premiere at Venice Days in August, towinning festival seasonin2014.storming Fromits World Creative England’s iFeatures programme, hada acrosstheUSA,and tours Australia andJapan. at theBarbican residency a long-term winning two Edinburgh Festival Goldawards, and visualsforHoiPolloi Theatre Company, film, Myhillhadalready won accoladesforhisfilm broadcaster.British feature Beforedirectinghisfirst years, major having forevery producedmaterial television andmediaeducation forthepastten Guy Myhillhasworked extensively infilm, and openedaLondonofficeinSeptember2014. others. The successfulteamhasrecentlyexpanded allowing clientstoeasilyeditclipsandsharewith by theirconsumers. and gather valuable insightfromfootagemade can gather thevideocontenttheyneedimmediately, makes thisvideoword-searchable, meaningclients to theirspecificdirection. Thetechnologythen tocapturefilm Their software enablesconsumers fromUnileverranging toCarphone Warehouse. 2013 andalreadyhasanimpressive listofclients Liverpool-based LivingLenswas establishedin Film Festival. Newcomeraward British at the2014BFILondon feature.first Myhill was alsonominated foraBest Software development company LivingLens Director Guy Myhill The Goob The app engine isalsoapowerfulThe appengine editingtool, , feature film, hisfirst madethrough
www.hma.co.uk — have atourfingertips–mobiletechnologyandapp wellbeing ofpatientsusingtheverytechnologywe with NHSEnglandtohelpimprovethehealthand “We introducedtheNHSDigitalFundinpartnership user ortheircarer. needs. Eachbutton’s subjectcanbechosenbythe impairment -thegroupwithmostclearly-identified friendly four-button interfaceforpeoplewithvisual improvements tocare.Theprototypeappisauser- to becustomisedmeetindividualneeds,andbring the mobileapp,mHealthAssist,whichisdesigned The judgeswereimpressedwiththeideabehind to improvingqualityofcareintotheNHSmarketplace. NHS Fund,withthegoaloftakingthisnewapproach funding fromCreativeEngland’s DigitalHealthcare The Barnsley-basedprojectwasalsoarecipientof solutions toresolvecommunicationdifficulties. living withdementia,visualimpairmentorneeding specifically focusedonsupportingvulnerablepeople long-term conditionslivemoreindependentlyandis supported living.Theconceptistohelppeoplewith to developmHealthAssist,amobileplatformfor the UniversityofSheffieldand Tunstall Healthcare, HMA DigitalMarketinghascollaboratedwith Digital MarketingAgency HMA DigitalMarketing
MEPC and the University of Sheffield. MEPC andtheUniversityofSheffield. technology giant3M,propertymanagementfirm Clients ofthecompanyincludeNetworkRail, digital agencyintheNorthofEnglandbyProlificNorth. employs 21staffandthisyearwaslistedasatop digital marketingagenciesintheUK.Thecompany making itoneofthelongest-establishedfull-service HMA itselfhasbeeninbusinessfornearly20years, with therightsupport.” innovative technologythatcanbedeveloped, Assist istheperfectexampleofcreativeand Business InvestmentatCreativeEngland.“mHealth development,” explainsJimFarmery, Directorof for Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Europe,theMiddleEastandAfrica Nicola Mendelsohn,VicePresidentofFacebook a widenumberofsectors.” address marketneedsacross with creativityandinnovation,to leading edgetechnology, coupled “I wasinspiredbypeopleutilising Company Profiles — 25 Company Profiles—
Leader Future England Creative
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26 — Creative England 50 — 26 Profiles I – N Short FilmFestival.Short BFI. Itreceived itsdebut screeningat Encounters which hewroteanddirectedwithfundingfromthe roundofCreativefirst England’s initiative, iShorts to develop hissecondshort OutTakes NewZealandandReelingChicago. at FramelineSanFrancisco, InsideOut Toronto, festival circuit,on theinternational having screened Queer FilmFestival. at theMelbourne Short direct andwinBestFirst toScreen Script Award, whichhethenwent onto anddirectinghisown films.where hebeganwriting as abroadcastjournalist, Jack ventured to Australia working in development programme and TV factual Kate Blewett and Anita Overland. After afewyears a researcherforBAFTA award-winning filmmakers the UK, Mexicoand Argentina, beforeworking as Jack Taylor Cox studiedlanguagesat universityin the development ofitsfeature slate. a coveted Vision Award fromtheBFItowards Inflammable was oneof20companiestoreceive BAFTA-winning anddirectors. with breakoutwriters producing aslate ofprojectsforfilmandtelevision Scrimshaw. Inflammableisdeveloping and by multipleBAFTA-winning producerDiarmid productioncompany founded independent British Yorkshire-based InflammableFilmsisan Director Director Jack Taylor Cox Production company Inflammable Films Scrimshaw was the producer behind the Scrimshaw was theproducerbehind Taylor-Cox was selectedbyCreative England short His first Tyrannosaur Trunk Trunk won the 2013 IMDb won the2013IMDb is still doing the rounds isstilldoingtherounds Sweetheart and, in2013, as part of the ofthe aspart
‘One to Watch’ for2015award, inlastyear’s Talent end of2016. to raise$1billionforglobalprojectsbythe saved asaresultofthemoneyraised. They aim donated tothe WWF –31GiantPandas have been pandaboughtin for every is donated tothechosenproject. For example, to sell. When aplayer buys thisitemapercentage andanitemintheirgame a projecttosupport globalprojects. important to support that allowsset upaplatform gamescompanies victimsin2010,for Haitiearthquake JudeOwer Inspired bythe$1.5mraisedaweb-based game Playmob throughgames. ispassionate aboutgiving mobile site, readyfortheLondonOlympics. tore-designthesport collaborated withBBCSport in acompletelynewway. In2012, MagneticNorth that helpspeople to explorethecity experience Council andNOMA–auniqueaudiovisual and created anewappwithManchesterCity archiveAir Museumtodesignanewdigital project, quiz trail. The teamalsoworked withthe American inaninteractive thousands ofchildrentotakepart Live CBBC tocreate aninteractivefor experience the BBC, GoogleandtheCityofManchester. forclientsincluding firsts collection ofdigital Since 2000theteamhascreated animpressive designcompanydigital basedinManchester. isanaward-winning independent Magnetic North thebusiness orsociallandscape. to transform technology inacreative way orentrepreneurial Unleashed 2014, celebrating individualswhouse Digital designcompanyDigital Magnetic North CEO ofPlaymob Jude Ower , designingwearableenabling techwristbands Ower was alsonamedUKwinnerofthe Just thisyear, theteamhascollaborated with Via theplatform, gamesstudioschoose Sims Social , $1.40is
CBBC CBBC
www.nomadgames.co.uk — boost itsgrowthpotential. the companysecureprivatesectorinvestmentand is apartnershipwithventurecapitalfirmAXM,tohelp through itsNorthWest Fund4Digital&Creative,which Creative England’s investmentinNomadGamesis countries foritsiOSandAndroidversions. the numberonemobiledownloadinitscategory27 Talisman approached directlybythecompany. Thegame, Talisman Games developedthedigitaleditionofboardgame with table-topgaminggiantGamesWorkshop, Nomad Recognised bythejudgesfortheirrecentcollaboration Worlds, the of War among others. Typhoon, 3D Robocop Eurofighter Warhammer, has arecordofsuccess,withgamessuchas PCs intheNorthWest. Theteambehind thecompany successful gamesdevelopersformobile,tabletsand Warrington-based NomadGamesisone ofthemost Games developers Nomad Games
(amagicalquestgame)afterbeing Prologue and Red Faction Battlegrounds, Faction Red , has been a huge success, becoming , hasbeenahugesuccess,becoming
exciting yearasweaddnewtitlestoourportfolio.” and cardgamedevelopers.2015promisestobean financially andintermsofrecognitionbyotherboard plan. We arenowstartingtoreaptherewards, both extra developersonboardatasignificantpointinour “Support fromCreativeEnglandenabledustogettwo another successfulstudio. Fund, we’reveryexcitedbytheprospectsofgrowing as GamesWorkshop andthefinancial backingofthe the charts,supportoffranchiseownerssuch growth track:“With ourfirsttitlealreadytopping Don Whiteford,whosaysthecompanyisonafast- Nomad Gameswasfoundedin2011byChiefExecutive Head ofGames&Digital,CreativeEngland Jaspal Sohal, to succeed.” entrepreneurship andpositiveattitudeneeded have demonstratedthequintessential technical andcreativeabilities,thesestudios across thecountry. More thanjusttheir recognised franchisescreatedbystudios been well-documentedwithdozensofglobally “Game developmenttalentinEnglandhas
Company Profiles — 27 Company Profiles— Leader Future England Creative
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Profiles I – M Company Profiles — 29 ,
Yak Dash: Horns Dash: Yak LittleBigPlanet , the team is currently , won the Design and won Tearaway Tearaway , and , , a mobile game based on the Himalayan a mobile game based on the Himalayan , Over the past 5 years, Plymouth-based Mutant Plymouth-based the past 5 years, Over Founded in 2009, the Mutant Labs team soon in 2009, Founded LittleBigPlanet and LittleBigPlanet2 have have LittleBigPlanet and LittleBigPlanet2 Media Molecule Media studio development Game Mutant Labs studio Game development Labs has created games for clients including OxfordLabs has created The Gadget Moshi Monsters and University Press, they developed Most recently, Show. of Glory sport racing – with support of yak of from Creative programme. West South GamesLab England’s Media Molecule is a video game development is a video game Media Molecule member in Guildford and a proud studio based Creators Studios. Worldwide of the PlayStation games winning of the multi-award 2 LittleBigPlanet and Create of Play, the next generation building Share for PS4®. and in 2014 them, between Awards 3 BAFTA won game their newest the first SXSW Gaming at ever Direction award on to pick up went It then TX. Austin, in awards Mobile & and three wins for eight nominations and Artistic Achievement Handheld, Family, Awards. Games the BAFTA at a group Duringyear of university, their final of friends had the idea of starting a company. The close-knit a name for themselves. developed games studio started high quality games to build Mixing powerful the world. titles for clients all over cross-platform with highly polished development desktop games for web, they deliver visuals, and mobile. ,
Enterprise Inseparable , (dir. Charles (dir. , The Call Up (for Oscar-winning director , (dir: Jonathan van Tulleken) and Tulleken) van Jonathan (dir: , , developing apps for a number developing , Gateway 6 Gateway Engaged Mubaloo was ranked 3rd in 2014’s Deloitte ranked 3rd in 2014’s Mubaloo was In 2012, he signed a first look deal with Pathé he signed a first look deal with In 2012, team of mobile With an award-winning Wilkinson has also worked on a number ofWilkinson has also worked , which premiered at this year’s Galway Galway this year’s which premiered at , Matthew Wilkinson Matthew Producer Mubaloo company App development consultants and mobile app development experts, consultants and mobile app development 160 mobile apps to over Mubaloo has delivered ofa wide range of diverse clients across a number the AA, Virgin Media to the industry from sectors, Manchester and Bank of Scotland, NHS to Royal is The company University to the Met Office. (EE) exclusive Everything Everywhere’s App Developer clients. of EE’s Appsters won 50 and Fast Technology UK in 2012 and 2013. Year of the App Developer startedThe company life in Bristol and now York New has additional offices in London, Germany. and Ottobrunn, Born and raised in the North West of England, of England, West Born the North and raised in Sheffield Hallamat film Wilkinson studied Matthew he left his position as In March 2011 University. Title Working at Executive script Development production company own to set up his Films, Stigma Films. budget of high concept low a slate UK to develop These for an internationalgenre features audience. include Brit List topper, Barker); classic sci-fi, Toom). Tanel including high-end short film projects, which screened asstarring Benedict Cumberbatch, part International of the 51st London Festival. Film thriller, is suburban His most recent production SLR Film Fleadh. Mubaloo is in 2009 by Mark Mason, Founded enterprise leading and consumerone of the UK’s companies. mobile app development
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Creative England Future Leader computer-generated tools to license out to other tools to license computer-generated and studios. visual effects companies a synchronized array of specialised cameras and used cameras array of specialised a synchronized ‘digital’ character. or generated a computer to deliver the process, giving is at the centre of Performance with teams Together character life and soul. the digital artists, the Imaginarium visual effects of highly skilled whom an audience characters with creates digital emotionally engage. can fully and its and producing is also developing The Imaginarium projects and interactive materialown films, television Capture expertise and,using its unique Performance its areas of use more popular, as the technology gets team has also been involvedget more diverse. The music videos andin high end TV commercials, computer games. is from Creative England, the company help With a cutting edge film West, establishing The Imaginarium (CG) animation divisionand TV Computer Generated as producing CG animation,based in Bath. As well proprietary will develop The Imaginarium West
The Lord of The Rings, King Kong,
and many more. Each subtle facial expression, and many more. Each
and visual effects studio and visual effects The Imaginarium Performance capture seen in films such as seen in films such Avatar, Rise of theof TinTin Planet of the vocalisation is recorded viabody movement and Apes, The Adventures and storytelling. is the technical process used toPerformance Capture character, performance into a digital translate an actor’s Cavendish and based in London, The ImaginariumCavendish and based leading some of the world’s has brought together and Visual Effects techniciansPerformance Capture level of character creationto provide the highest create the ultimate in next-generation storytelling for storytelling ultimate in next-generation create the and digital applications. video games film, television, Andy Serkis and JonathanFounded in 2011 by true mastery in an evolving new discipline. in an evolving new true mastery Performance leading is Europe’s The Imaginarium combining company, and production Capture studio to highest standards technology with the the latest Chosen for its ability to carve out a hugely successful out a to carve for its ability Chosen studiocapture, digital of performance in the world niche for its our judges by was applauded The Imaginarium 28 — Creative England 50 Profiles N – R Company Profiles — 31
, which ,
(Dir: Scott (Dir: Shell , a film backed by , – was the first – was Norfolk How to Live Yours to Live How has been nominated for a has been nominated Emotional Fusebox (Dir: Nick Whitfield) won the MichaelWhitfield) Nick (Dir: Dargavel cut her teeth as a third assistant cut her teeth Dargavel numerous has won Tunnard As an editor, Tunnard’s first full outing as a writer/director Tunnard’s Dargavel recently set up her own Nottingham- her own recently set up Dargavel Rachel DargavelRachel Producer Rachel Tunnard Editor/writer/director Skeletons Film at for Best British Feature Award Powell 2010 and was Film Festival Edinburgh nominated. BAFTA film is the comedy feature supportedwas production and in both development inWhittaker and stars Jodie England, by Creative The pilot short she made in the lead role. – preparation as part England made by Creative of the award The film screened as part of BFI NET.WORK. and was BFI London Film Festival last year’s for Best Shortsubsequently nominated the at This year, Awards. British Film Independent Emotional Fusebox for Best Short. BAFTA Rachel Dargavel has produced short films, music has produced short Rachel Dargavel films, successfulcommercials in an already videos and hand-picked one of the 13 she was In 2010, career. ‘Vipers directorswriters, Nest’, and producers in the to make looking a groupof up and coming talent, driven projects withinsuccessful commercially the UK. into production where she became moving director, Most British a line producer on the indie scene. she has produced recently, Skillset and Creative Films, BBC England, Creative projects selected for and one of the three the BFI, than 350 submissions) asproduction (from more filmmaking budget low part of the iFeatures2 programme. initiative Cry Baby. based production company, is a multi-talented film editor, Tunnard Rachel named by In 2011 she was writer and director. Watch’. ‘Brits to one of the 42 as BAFTA and shorts. for her features awards while 2012, Film Festival Turin the Graham) won
,
Forza Horizon 2 Forza a finger-tapping GunFinger, Their firstwas also named one of the Duke was Toys Pixel With more than 100 staff working full time, full time, With more than 100 staff working The digital games specialists are now Pixel Toys Pixel studio development Games Playground Games studio Games development in Warwickshire, and started their own business. and started business. their own Warwickshire, in studio a development to build Their vision was which could compete with the very best in the games for console big budget creating world, they are years later, Two a global audience. to realising their goal. on their way well aiming to be the best this is an ambitious company, The second title, they do. what at The to critical launched last year acclaim. was set in Southern Europe, all-action racing game, stunning graphicscombines fast and cutting- cars, edge music. Warwickshire-based Pixel Toys was founded by was Toys Pixel Warwickshire-based than 25With more Wafer. Andy Alex Zoro and years of combined experience across videogame a joint passion and publishing, and development two developed the team has now for gaming, years first successful titles in their of trading. two Creative through developed zombie adventure, Greenshoots programme England and Microsoft’s It has been released for start-up games studios. Android. on iOS and which an initiative finalists, Pitch@Palace York’s of UK start-upsconnects high-potential with over 300 influential individuals. and publishing morefocusing on developing mobilegames and entertainment for tablet, to and are well-placed and handheld devices, capitalise on the rapidly growing digital mobile entertainment market. The team behind Playground Games has other people for over games for been developing up Playground In 2009 they set Games 20 years.
Notes on Blindness is a documentary a narrative driven game which a narrative Notes on Blindness An early startup, Oceloid has worked on Oceloid has worked An early startup, Project Storm, Peter Middleton Director Oceloid Interactive Oceloid studio development Games Peter Middleton is a graduate of the DocumentaryPeter His most recent short Campus Masterschool. film, Spinney, alongside James created and Times, York commissioned by the New was the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. premiered at more it has also been screened at Since then, won the and world-wide, than 30 film festivals the Encounters at ShortDocumentaryAward in Bristol. Film Festival based on the audio diariesfeature of the writer deconstructing his Hull, and academic John experience of blindness. Oceloid Interactive was formed was 2014Oceloid Interactive late in for the Microsoft-partneredand soon applied England. programmeGreenshoots Creative through in in Digital based Now Innovation City team come from a multitude the Middlesbrough, ranging from animationof different backgrounds, and art design to programming. to release its first and is yet prototypes, several programmeThe Greenshoots given has game. boost they needed to the company the young while they focus as a business establish themselves on escaping to control time while the player allows a fearsome storm.
writer , and , (BBC’s (BBC’s Hungry Horde and BAFTA and BAFTA , Award-winning , Develop landing £25,000 in pilot funding . Ninja Theory pioneered also Ninja . (The Beach, 28 Days Later) 28 Days (The Beach, Heavenly Sword. Heavenly Odyssey to the West Odyssey to the
The Horde, The studio prides itself on striving the for
Games development studio Games development Nosebleed Interactive Games development studio development Games Ninja Theory Ninja from Creative England and Sony Computer England and Sony from Creative gameThe Studios Europe. Worldwide Entertainment as Store launched on the PlayStation 2014 and has already developed in November following. a loyal Nosebleed Interactive is an independent game is an Nosebleed Interactive With over Tyne. upon based in Newcastle developer three decades of industry experience them, between Mobile Pioneers the PlayStation® the team won zombie competition in 2012 with their eye-catching game Human Planet) video games. Capture in the use of Performance highest levels of production and is proud to have of production and is proud to have highest levels industries with collaborators from creative worked Andy Serkis actor including outside of video games, The Hobbit) Kong, King (Lord of the Rings, Alex Garland Nitin Sawhney composer and producer Ninja Theory formed was in 2004 in Cambridge, Ninja one selling behind the number and is the team Cry Devil May DmC: Enslaved: nominated
Profiles N – R – N 30 — Creative England 50 32 — Creative England 50 — 32 Profiles R – S pre-production. released lastyear, andhisfifth Wheatley’s film fourth inthe2012CannesFilmFestival.Fortnight haditsworldSightseers premiereat Directors Kill List and hasbeensoldinboththeUKUS. won multipleawards, receivedacclaim critical production, Dorset.in Bridport, The company’s original first and directorBen Wheatley foundedRookFilms In 2008, writer, producer anddirector Andy Starke new videosonadailybasis. submitting 100,000 downloads with4,000artists launched anappin 2014andalreadyhasover April music that suitstheirtasteforfree. The company effectively tosearchfor whileallowing consumers markettheirmusicvideos artists emerging fromaroundtheworld, ishelping artists Rormix to anewaudience. newhighqualitymusicvideocontent bringing videos fromindependentandunsignedartists, todiscover allows users platform curated music isleadingthepack.popular andRormix The becoming arefast platforms Music discovery Production company Rook Films company Software andappdevelopment Rormix Rook’s nexttwo features with Wheatley, With avast catalogue ofnewandundiscovered and Down Terrace Sightseers , were alsoaward-winning. A FieldinEngland , directedby Wheatley, Freakshift is in is in was was
2014 and since featured on the homepage of the 2014 andsincefeatured onthehomepageof London.Victorian Itwas releasedinDecember animated gamebasedinthebustling streetsof as part oftheBFINET.WORK.as part and isco-fundedbyFilm4Creative England Polar Bear List. featured onthe2013Brit world ofyoung femalegymnastsandwhich full-length screenplay, Skins multiple episodesforBAFTA-winning E4drama broadcast onthechannelin2009. After writing writer,writers. filmasa Hisfirst schemefornewfilmandtelevision prestigious beforewinningaplaceonChannel4’splaywright Sean Buckleywon numerousaccoladesasa App Storeunder ‘Best NewGames’. to make result, theywon fundingthroughCreative England characters.adventures ofonetheiroriginal As a animated ‘point andclick’ game, basedonthe Orchestra, MediatoE4. Virgin clients, fromtheBBCtoLondonPhilharmonic gone ontowinawards fortheirwork withbigname indulge inmakingfunanimated stories”, they’ve asa and SebBurnett “place wheretheycould based inBristol. Establishedin2011byJoe Wood Rumpus isanaward-winning animation studio Writer/Director Writer/Director Sean Buckley development studio Animation andgames Rumpus Animation , Buckley embarked on writing his first , hisfirst Buckleyembarkedonwriting Buckley’s debut, film directorial theshort In 2013, developing an Rumpusstarted The Adventures Fiddle ofBertram , isbeingproducedbyInflammableFilms Competition Honest John , setinthe , an , an
, was , was
www.shoothill.com — photographic recordoftheurbanandrurallandscape The Surveywasfoundedin1890tocreatea Birmingham’s Warwickshire PhotographicSurvey. interactive visualsearchmethodfortheLibraryof The softwareiscurrentlybeingusedtocreatean in high-enddatavisualisationsolutions. showcases Shoothill’s technologyandexpertise The solutiondevelopedbythecompany, called is itslibrarysearchsystemattheLibraryofBirmingham. A keyproject–part-fundedbyCreativeEngland Shoothill isusingitsexpertisetosupportcommunities. The judgeswereparticularlyimpressedbythewaythat data intomoreaccessibleproducts. solutions, turningcomplexstatisticalandgeographic company createsonlinemappinganddatavisualisation winning bigdataspecialistsoftwareprovider. The Shrewsbury-headquartered Shoothillisanaward- Software developmentcompany Shoothill
FLiC
, sectors. sectors. technology canprovidesolutionsacrossmultiple and apps,isashiningexampleofhowcreative Shoothill haswonnumerousawardsforitssoftware Agency withintheprevious15minutes. flood warningstatusesissuedbytheEnvironmental map, ortosearchbypostcode,seefloodalertand system allowsanyonetozoominonanypointoftheUK data fromtheEnvironmentAgencyinrealtime.The FloodAlerts Another successfulprojectisShoothill’s award-winning a recordofthearea’s historyforfuturegenerations. searchable onlineimagedatabasetopreserve cataloguing the20,000+photographstoforma of Warwickshire. Shoothill’s digitisationprojectis app,whichtrackslivefloodandriver-level Company Profiles — 33 Company Profiles— Leader Future England Creative
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Sun & Moon Studios is a full-service animation, design meaningful activities is designed to assess and teach Skylab specialises in digital strategy, websites, apps, Skylab hopes that mediatankhq.com could create and software production house. The company creates attention and looking skills, and can be used by anyone social media and video platforms for clients including new TV platforms for consumer brands, businesses, bespoke content for all media and digital platforms, trying eye gaze for the first time. the Home Office, William Hill, British Swimming, the or for public sector organisations in the future. ranging from TV animation and corporate films to BBC and Manchester United. The company works with Sun & Moon Studios animation work includes the BBC’s The company has also created a developer smartphone games and educational apps. multiple global brands, government bodies and has Change4Life campaign, TV adverts for Clarks, and a friendly version of MediaTank that handles the CMS a specific focus on sport, working with teams, clubs, Founded in 2008, many of the games produced by motion tracking game and animation for the Sea Life management, storage, encoding and delivery of video. NGBs and world federations. Sun & Moon Studios are aimed at children with special Centre Manchester, played by up to 1,000 children Developers can query data, and use open source needs. It was the eye-gaze technology – a device that every day. Led by BAFTA Award winning MD Nigel Collier, Skylab libraries to achieve rapid integration into projects. allows users to control a PC with their eyesight – that has created the innovative MediaTank video platform. Creative England is one of Sun & Moon’s backers Skylab received funding from Creative England impressed the judges, enabling children who would through its GamesLab South West funding programme, It was MediaTank that particularly impressed the through the Business Innovation Fund to further otherwise have difficulties playing games, to use the which awarded grants of between £10,000 and £50,000 Future Leader judges. This commercially successful develop MediaTank, now used by British Swimming company’s software with ease. to SMEs based in the South West of England that and innovative online broadcasting platform helps to broadcast national championships, global camera Their inclusive Eye Gaze Foundation (in partnership wanted to develop their own intellectual property. companies to better communicate with the public. brand Hasselblad who showcase 1,000 films worldwide, with Inclusive Technology) has been specially designed The programme’s aim is to support economic growth, and the National Film and Television School who MediaTank allows any brand, business or content to meet the needs of teachers, therapists and carers facilitate job creation and improve skills development train the best UK filmmakers. owner to become a broadcaster and deliver high working with students with physical and intellectual in the games sector. definition video to an online audience from their own disabilities, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, autistic website. MediaTank allows anyone to broadcast spectrum disorder and communication difficulties. anything to everyone on any device and has been A unique package of 18 carefully graded, fun and called, ‘a white label version of the BBC iPlayer’.
Creative Creative England — England — Future Future Sun & Moon Studios Leader Skylab Leader Animation, design, software Digital strategy and and game development company production company
— — www.sunandmoonstudios.co.uk www.mediatankhq.com
34 — Creative England 50 Company Profiles — 35 Profiles T – V Company Profiles — 37
exhibited VR Karts series – games for Ludum Dare of Led by design director Neil Wigfield and Led by design director Neil Viewpoint Games currently has one virtual This is a company committed to harnessing committed This is a company Rude Bear Vorpal Games Vorpal studio development Games Viewpoint Games studio Games development queues and positive feedback. The online kart racing feedback. queues and positive designed from the groundgame was up for the new of virtualgeneration reality headsets. new virtual cutting edge reality technology to create games in a thriving industry. Vorpal Games was set up by Manchester-based set up was Games Vorpal An award-winning Alex Rose. games guru managed and developed he project developer, the During a of gamers. an online community around the world developers from ‘Ludum Dare’, games based on a theme creating spend a weekend With a background suggested by the community. Rose aimed to make the feel of the game in physics, controls and fun mechanicsperfect with responsive the gameplay. dilute don’t that houseViewpoint Games is a new software virtual with a focus on developing reality games, with a unique and immersive the player providing gaming experience. Viewpoint Games technical director Neil Campbell, set up with the aim of exploringwas gaming and virtual reality – one of the most revolutionary changes to the industry in recent years. part-reality project under their belt which was England. funded by Creative Comic Con in Birminghamat in 2014 to non-stop
among
sees the player sees the player The Simpsons MagNets and , was released in 2014. in 2014. released was , Rugrats , MagNets FIFA , received great critical received acclaim and won , , Since being founded the company has tripledSince being founded the company Total Monkery in the back bedroom began Total Total Monkery Total studio development Games Entertainment Yippee! studio Game development has worked on a stringhas worked of successful games including MotoGP Yippee! Entertainment has been a winner of others. including the Entrepreneur award awards, several Salford the at and the Rising Star award Business Awards. proprietary its own its headcount and has developed cross-platform technologies for smartphones and the game to date, Its largest success desktop PCs. Chimpact Launched after its release. a multitude of awards it has since been migratedoriginally across on iOS, more formats. to five Total Monkery is a family-run game independent Total whose based in Plymouth company development game, debut England grant to a Creative Recently awarded support its development, City, ranger in Polarity control of a park take over The team unusual park. and restore order to an combined charming design with inventive character a gameand engaging mechanics to create gameplay Mac has since been released on PC, that and Linux platforms with one veteran house in Devon of a town They have employees. novice programmer and two with a new full-time grown team, into an ambitious artist University’s and a space in Plymouth Richard Monkery founder, Total Zone. Formation of industry brings a wealth to his knowledge Weeks, Lecturer in programmingAssociate other role as an Plymouth University. at expertise Yippee! Entertainment’s mobile, covers focusing on consoles and web, desktop, tablet, founded was The company social video gaming. in February 2011 by six industry and it veterans
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Creative England Future Leader
, directed by Andrew Haigh. The Production, directed by Andrew “The precious ability to tell stories that“The precious ability to tell stories connect with both UK and International audiences is what distinguishes our nominated film talent and businesses. short form or Be it fiction or documentary, the powerlong form, all are able to harness moveof the cinematic canvas to entertain, effect.and challenge, often to devastating diversityAs a group, they demonstrate the ethnicity and geography – of voices, gender, of the– that will underpin the future growth They also embody the spirit UK film industry. in howof innovation and entrepreneurship to marketthey tell their tales and bring them andthrough the use of new technologies cross-sector partnerships.” Chris Moll, Head of Film, Creative England Co-founder Bertrand Faivre’s pedigree is impeccable: pedigree Faivre’s Bertrand Co-founder France, at UGC of acquisitions head previously he was for (known Lazennec Productions joining Les before set up and Cyclo). He Scent of Green Papaya La Haine, Le Petit Bureau, Paris’s in 2000 followed by The Bureau French TV rights for a catalogue of which handles 200 films. The Bureau through has supported Creative England film part-funding the Funding scheme, its Production 45 Years designed to help non-LondonFunding scheme is stories set in or around thebased filmmakers tell English regions. Tristan by The Bureau’s executive produced 45 Years, selected for competition at theGoligher has just been Berlin Film Festival.
,
Ratcatcher
, and many more. The team, and many more. The , BAFTA-winning feature feature , BAFTA-winning Joyeux Noël
Weekend
Production Company The Bureau www.thebureau.co.uk — well as European international sales companies,”well as European international says the company. “We gamble on ground breaking and unique gamble on ground breaking “We them to success in world marketsfilmmakers and lead UK and French players asthrough links with major WW1 drama to expand its internationalis currently looking a large catalogue of filmspresence, developing for international sales. sales companies. produced by award-winning films Some of the multi-award winning romanticThe Bureau include drama unique filmmakers, and leading them to success in them to success and leading unique filmmakers, with major UK and – through links world markets international as well as European French players, Established BAFTA-winning production company production BAFTA-winning Established who workproducers talented group of is a The Bureau prides The team new talent. stimulate to find and hard and a gamble on groundbreaking itself on taking 36 — Creative England 50 Deloitte helps companies across the UK’s creative industry, helping them to The combination of growing creative output and increasing Helping creative businesses navigate these challenges offers specialisation is driving skills shortages in some sectors. clear benefits to the UK economy. As the Scale Up Report thrive in a digital world. Clients include some of the world’s top broadcasters, showed, a significant proportion of future growth in UK GDP The CBI recently highlighted digital as one of the areas and employment will come from small, fast-growing businesses production companies, advertising agencies and leaders in publishing. where skills shortages are becoming more acute, with of the type contained in this report. According to government potential negative implications for the economic recovery 2. Deloitte also conducts extensive research into industry trends and consumer data, the creative industries account for nearly 6% of total behaviour in the technology, media and telecom (TMT) industries. Finally, globalisation will continue to present both challenges employment in the UK; the more broadly defined ‘creative and opportunities to creative businesses in the UK. The main economy’ (including creative jobs in other sectors) accounts Julie Richards and Howard Davies from Deloitte’s TMT Strategy Consulting challenges come from increasing skill levels overseas and the for 1 in 12 jobs 6. Creative output accounts for over 10% of UK team share their perspective on the trends affecting the creative sector, and expansion of local creative industries – Bollywood, Nollywood exports and the IP created by creative businesses, from music and others – that challenge the hegemony of English-language to gaming to the written word, can generate annuity revenues its importance to the wider economy. output. At the same time, increased global incomes and the over many years. spread of internet access (largely via mobile devices) also offer As technology changes the nature of employment in this Richards is a Senior Consultant and works with clients in the publishing UK producers new international markets to tap into and may country, fostering growth in sectors that will support job actually increase demand for the high-quality creative content and creative sectors. She previously worked as a journalist and for a B2B creation is of huge strategic importance. In the future, an that the UK excels at. publishing company. Davies focuses on the media sector and has spent estimated 35% of UK jobs are potentially at risk of automation, the last 20 years supporting his clients as they move to a digital future. Recognising the potential economic value of the creative sector, offering improvements in productivity but also creating new many countries are now actively positioning themselves as challenges in terms of reorienting the workforce away from jobs attractive homes for creative industries through the use of tax that can be replicated by machines 7. Jobs in computing, the arts incentives and other measures to attract video game producers, and media are viewed as being among those at the lowest risk for example. of automation. That doesn’t mean that the UK is automatically at a The broad types of measures that can support that growth disadvantage: there are now a plethora of tax incentives are not exclusive to the creative sector, but should address The Industry View available in the UK, including established tax credit reliefs for the specific challenges of creative companies. These measures film production (recently tweaked to make it more available include talent development, access to finance and improved for special effects); video game production; high-end television data availability. production; animation; and theatrical productions. In addition, Work by Deloitte has shown that the availability of role models the 2014 Autumn Statement included commitments to new and mentors can have a major impact on the success of growing reliefs for children’s television production (from April 2015) businesses, hence the importance of reports such as this one and orchestral works (expected from April 2016). that showcase the success of creative entrepreneurs and At the same time, increased global incomes and the spread hopefully inspire others to follow in their footsteps. of internet access (largely via mobile devices) also offer UK producers new international markets to tap into and may actually increase demand for the high-quality creative content The CBI recently highlighted digital that the UK excels at. as one of the areas where skills These trends affect businesses of all sizes across the creative industries. Yet small and medium sized businesses of the type shortages are becoming more acute, showcased in this report face a number of specific challenges with potential negative implications that can hold back growth potential. The recent Scale Up for the economic recovery. Report by Sherry Coutu identified five factors that prevent fast-growing businesses from being able to scale into large companies: finding employees with the right skills; building leadership capability; accessing customers in other markets; accessing the right combination of finance; and navigating Further Reading — infrastructure 3. Technological development will continue to shape the direction This is a trend that we expect to continue, particularly as 1 Deloitte Media Consumer Survey 2014 of the creative sector. The rapid uptake of mobile devices and the quality and availability of mobile broadband improves. These findings chime with Deloitte’s recent Technology Fast www.deloitte.co.uk/mediaconsumer/ the impact on media consumption is already well known - its The ongoing expansion of digital channels available for creative 50 report which, like this one, identifies businesses in the sector 2 Skills shortages holding back the UK’s economic recovery effects are felt across many parts of the economy but are output is also blurring the traditional boundaries between and examines how they have achieved their success. This year www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30224320 particularly acute in the creative industries. different creative industries, such as fashion and publishing, we discovered that the biggest drivers of success were the ability 3 The Scale Up Report on UK Economic Growth as creative businesses look for new ways to engage to set a bold but flexible strategy; attracting, training and www.scaleupreport.org/scaleup-report-summary.pdf Previous research by Deloitte has found that while the with consumers. retaining the right talent; and securing suitable sources 4 Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Report proliferation of mobile devices can shift consumption between of finance 4. www.deloitte.co.uk/fast50/index.cfm different forms of creative output (for example, from long-form A second major trend that is likely to continue is the 5 Creative England Policy Brief: Access to Finance for Creative Businesses TV to short-form online video) the overall effect is to increase simultaneous democratisation and specialisation of creative We know that the financing issue is especially pertinent to the http://applications.creativeengland.co.uk/assets/public/resource/79.pdf the total volume of content accessed. We estimate that the output. Smartphones and video technology make it easier than creative sector. Creative entrepreneurs often report difficulties 6 Creative industries employment in 2012; Creative Industries Economic average UK household now spends around £900 per year on ever for anyone to make create their own video content, while in navigating the financial landscape and the lack of a common Estimates, Department for Culture Media & Sport media content; digital subscriptions currently account for at the same time the increasing sophistication of computer www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/ methodology for valuing IP, coupled with the lack of tangible file/271008/Creative_Industries_Economic_Estimates_-_January_2014.pdf around 6% of media spend but this number is increasing as graphics mean that digital animation for films and video assets held by many small creative businesses, means that banks consumers become more accustomed to accessing (and paying) games require highly technical skills and knowledge. 7 One third of jobs in the UK at risk from automation: and potential investors can treat the sector as a risky www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/pages/press-releases/articles/deloitte-one-third- 1 for content online . proposition 5 of-jobs-in-the-uk-at-risk-from-automation.html
38 — Creative England 50 The Industry View — 39 England’s regional opportunity
Whether based in Liverpool, Sheffield, Bristol or Manchester, what our Future Leaders have in common is that they are all pushing the boundaries. Their impact is not just being felt in film, television and video games – it crosses boundaries into healthcare, education and even car insurance. The creative industries generate value that spreads far wider than the sector itself and the creative businesses of the UK are at the forefront when it comes to exploring these new areas of cross-sector innovation. If we are to maximise their value and optimise their impact on our economy and our society, we must invest in talented people and their ideas – the intangible assets that can be the basis for new businesses, high-quality jobs and a more dynamic economy. Every major political party now recognises this to be true and, as importantly, recognises that creative talent and the investment opportunity it represents can be found in every part of our country, not just in London and the South-East. That’s good news for the creative industries and good news for the UK. It’s clear that England’s cities and regions still have work to do to attract the investment they need, but we look forward to working with investors, the government and city authorities to see our future leaders achieve the success Broadchurch they deserve, and turn our 50 top companies into 500. © ITV Spaceship We’re confident we can. © Catiana Becker.
40 — Creative England 50 England’s regional opportunity — 41 Thanks...
Our Future Leader judges: Nicola Mendelsohn, Stuart Rock, Saul Klein, Rory Cellan Jones and Rebecca Burn-Callander Julie Richards and Howard Davies from Deloitte And our funders and partners Regional Growth Fund European Regional Development Fund British Film Institute BBC Films Creative Skillset VisitEngland Britain is GREAT The Telegraph Deloitte
42 — Creative England 50